2007 News Story12/10/2007King Abdullah names members of the Allegiance Commission

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz yesterday issued a royal decree naming 35 members of the Saudi royal family to the Allegiance Commission.

The Allegiance Commission was established as part of a new law of succession announced in October 2006 to formalize the royal succession and ensure a smooth transfer of power. Under the new system, the King will nominate a Crown Prince, and the Allegiance Commission will vote on the candidate. Previously, the King had the sole right to select the Crown Prince.

The newly named members of the Commission are all sons and grandsons of the Kingdom’s founder, King Abdulaziz Al-Saud.

King Abdullah met with the Commission members last night in Riyadh, where they swore an oath of allegiance to him.

In remarks on the occasion, King Abdullah called on them to heed the advice of the late founder of Saudi Arabia.

“King Abdulaziz had urged us to become God fearing people and to enhance the pillars of justice, and to close our ranks, and to settle any difference through discussion and dialogue in a transparent manner, and not to allow anyone to interfere in our special affairs,” King Abdullah said. “I am confident that you are aware of this and will follow it.”